Grounded. Life. Travel. Is the. Best.... Thank. You, folks. For. Your. Travel. On. The. Trains. And. All. Of. The. Valuable. Information. From. Someone. Who loves. Train. Travel. So. Much and. Older. Now. Can't. Do it. Like I. Use. To. You. Two. Make. Me. Feel. Like.
Great video. I enjoy following you. Last year & this year, I have been on all three.. I love this train journey, going on the City of New Orleans train at the end of this month... keep up the awesome job you're doing with your reviews!😊
Very Nice Video. Although I don't like the Moynahan Station, I loved the way your Video showed its amenities. I have traveled this route years ago and enjoyed the trip immensely. I loved the way you and husband explained the features about train travel on the LAKE SHORE LIMITED.
Really appreciate you two! Upon retirement as I've told you before, I want to go wherever Amtrak goes in our country. You have given me, and so many more, great insights into how to do so. Thanks!!
I'll be traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief this summer with a one week stopover in Albuquerque and then from Los Angele to Salem Oregon on the Coast Starlight. The final leg will be from Salem back to Sacramento on the Starlight and then on to Chicago on the California Zephyr. I love Amtrak and do at least on trip a year. One of these days I hope to be lucky enough to run into you two and be able to say hello and tell you in person how much I appreciate your channel. Thanks for the great travelogues!
I took the LakeShore Limited in late August 2022. I didn’t get a view liner 2. Also, I tried to get in the lounge with a coach ticket and you’re right, they wouldn’t let me in the Moynihan lounge. However, I didn’t realize this this ride would be so long. On the return trip I upgraded to a roomette and did get into the lounge in Chicago which is not nearly as cool as New York according to what I see in your video.
So excited thanks for your reviews. I am now an Amtrak rider taking advantage of Business class seats more room. Thank you we can now visit our children without the hassle of driving.
Hi. Just came back from the eye doctor and yes, I need new glasses. I showed them this video and they didn’t have a pair exactly like yours, Allison but she showed me three pairs that were close and I picked a pair. Thanks for the fashion advice.
Hello I'm a fan of yours,I live in The Town of Poughkeepsie - we hear the Amtrak and Metro North trains daily!! Keep the videos coming!! Happy travels 😊
I love the new bedding. I got to try them when I took the Chief roomette from LA to Chi. I also did the Lakeshore limited this summer too. It's a beautiful route.
Exciting to see the new rooms! The Lake Shore Limited is one of my favorite routes. I look forward to being able to ride in one! After like 10 Amtrak journeys, I still didn't know about the "status" button on the app! You guys are always so informative! Thanks for the video.
Thank you both for bringing us on your trips. I rode Amtrak for the first time ever from NJ to FL (I hate flying) just last month to see family. Your videos made me feel super confident and knowledgeable on my trip. We rode coach going to FL and then we won a bid for a sleeper for the ride back home (you should talk about bids in a video!) I will say people should be prepared for a rocky ride. That wasn’t something I was prepared for at all. The train moves a lot! Especially in coach. That’s just another suggested point I think you should share with your viewers. You don’t feel it nearly as much in the sleeper but still worth addressing. I felt like I was still rocking for about an hour after getting off the train. Thank you again and safe travels! Ps. The butter cake is amazing! Highly recommend!
Agreed on your point about bids👍🏼 Please, GLT, create a video only about placing a bid for an upgrade on an Amtrak train. I found my first time bidding to be tricky because, for one, I hadn't known about bidding until the night before the *return* leg of my Amtrak round trip. Even if I weren't a member of Amtrak Guest Rewards, I'd be miffed about not knowing about bidding 'til the Eleventh Hour. A video on bidding, by Grounded Life Travel, also would be educational with regard to the costs. I felt disappointed when my bid apparently wasn't high enough (or, perhaps, too late?).
Other UA-camrs have said that the trip from NYC to Miami is very rocky. One young woman got motion sickness. Next time (if?), she will take motion sickness medication with her.
Great video, as always. You were so lucky to get the new Viewliner II! My only complaint (not for you two) is that I wish the train traveled between Buffalo and Cleveland during the daylight hours. I guess the "Limited" in "Lakeshore Limited" is because you have extremely limited daylight hours to see the lake! It looks like if I want to see the lake I need to go eastbound.
Recently rode the Cardinal viewliner 2. First time on overnight trains. I have appreciated your videos and learned a lot ahead of our trip. Several things we learned. The viewliner compared with the superliner does have more in roomette storage space BUT be conscious of what you REALLY need in your room as far as bags. Do not bring a lot. Bags everywhere and having to move them is a PITA. The second reality is there is very little space in the roomette with the beds set up. Getting changed and getting at bags is not easy. We did our beds ourselves.
Thank you for referencing that the Cardinal has the Viewliner II trains as I've been unable to confirm whether or not they're using them as I cannot stand the toilet being in the room. I'm taking a trip on the Cardinal in a few weeks and it will be my third time on that train and I'm really looking forward to the roomette without a toilet in it.
@@randall8379 on those cars there is no public toilet, only if your room there is a toliet, you will have to walk to a viewliner II car if they train has one to use the public toliet in the sleeper car or if no viewliner II cars you will have to walk all the way to coach to use the public bathroom.
I'd carry easily disposable black tea sachets from Harney & Sons in New York. Their website has 300+ varieties of fine teas. Amtrak's free sugar and hot water can be used on board 24/7.
A decade ago Amtrak had a ice chest in the sleepers, but it would melt before it was restocked with ice, at least in the chest it kept cold. Frankly, I bring my own electric cooler I use for my insulin which keep my drinks and insulin cold, although maybe not ice cold. Do bring a power cord for more outlets whether in a sleeper or in coach.
@@ronclark9724 Thanks Ron for the excellent response. I am assuming that Antrak does not have ice making machines on board for the sleeper car passengers at least. I am taking my first sleeper car excursion in October so I'm just trying to think ahead. Cheers.
@@ClubhouseRide For Sleeper Antendentas they can bring you free ice just ask when they are awake. If you ride coach you can ask the cafe car and might be a slight charge for a cup. but not the ice.
Moynihan Train Hall & the Metropolitan Lounge are AMAZING! We did LkShrLtd (NY=>Chg) in June and had the Viewliner1 Rmtte. My wife was freaked out by the toilet even though we never opened it. VwII appears to be very nice! In our experiences, the shared toilets on a sleeping car are fine. Thanks to a great SleepingCar Attdt, we were able to sample one of Full Bedrooms from Elkhart into Chicago.
It's so great we all share our feedback- for me as a solo traveler older adult having the commode in the V1 would work for me as I get up frequently in the night if u know what I mean😊
Have you thought about doing long trip on the train were you dress up for meals and have all your meals in the dinning car. like they used to do . enjoy you videos. John
Can you guys do the Maple Leaf next to Toronto? Id love to see how Amtrak deals with border crossings post CVD. Thank you. Oh and possibly a via rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver?
Love your videos. Was that a go pro attached to the window? What kind of attachment did you use for the window? What kind of camera do you use besides the one on the window? Brand and models for all please. Thank you😀
During the pandemic Amtrak furloughed much of its diner staff. It isn't Amtrak's fault many found other jobs during the TWO YEARS they were furloughed. Obviously it will take up to a year or more to HIRE and TRAIN new employees... Government shut downs have consequences... Welcome to reality... When just about every restaurant has a HELP WANTED sign on their front door or window, furloughed employees found other jobs...
It makes no sense. I regularly read rail-related blogs and forums, where insiders claim that someday soon traditional dining might come to East Cst trains. It appears that before that happens, coach passengers might be permitted to dine in the same lounge as sleeping-car passengers -- but they'd have to pay for their meals. Rail insiders are chatting about this happening by next year (maybe).
Hello, Allie and Rob! It’s me, again. Thank you, again, for answering our questions. I wanted to ask if you use a travel agent to book your travels, or do you book independently? I am, now, traveling full-time and not sure if I should use an agent or book my own travels. I find it easier to book the travel myself because I know my specific wants/needs, and I can be a little picky. I see that you do as much travel as I am planning to do, so I wanted to ask how you book your travels. Thank you!
I would like to know a rough date of when your trips happen- what month & whether it was at beginning or end of month-it helps to figure out daylight hours & weather for my future trips. I know your videos take a lot of work (they are so well done) so posting may take a long from the actual dates of the trips.
Is it correct that withOUT the commode, that seat is wider? Just watching your videos I can't decide commode-vs-not either. 😄 Convenience versus ickyness. Traveling alone = yes commode. With someone = likely not. Have you all travelled solo, and if so what are your thoughts?
I'm a solo female traveler, and I had a roomette last fall on a Viewliner I. So there was a toilet in the room. That was a plus! For my upcoming trip on the LSL this fall, I'll tuck a can of Lysol in my carry-on in case I'm on a Viewliner I again. Why? While the toilet is convenient, it's right beside the door. So it's not a bad idea to spray a little Lysol or use an air freshener to spare anyone walking past your compartment. I would find the in-room commode awkward if I were sharing the roomette with someone. But please note: As others have mentioned, a roomette is very tight for two adults *when the beds are made up*. A roomette is cozy but not unbearable for two adults when the seats are in position.
Amtrak has dynamic pricing like the rest of the hospitality industry. Fares vary considerably when you book and when you travel, the fuller the train the higher the fare. Book early, even six months or more in advance, and book to travel on a slow day, avoid holidays and weekends. Cover yourself, if a sale happens after you book, cancel and rebook during the sale. Usually the middle of the week has lower fares, even a day can see a significant difference. Usually Tuesday or Wednesday have lower fares. Do receive notifications of special promotions from Amtrak's website. Coach fares are considerably cheaper than any sleeper accommodation, although you may choose to bring cold cut or peanut butter sandwiches, avoid the cafe car and diner riding in coach. Amtrak did have great deals during the pandemic when so much of the country was shut down... Sorry you missed it. It happened once, it may happen again...
I took my teenage Grandsons to Chicago via Cardinal and returned on LSLimited. We had a great time. I thought I may have missed lake views because we left Chicago at 9:30 pm but it doesn’t look like we missed much during the night. We had an awesome attendant named Celenia on the Lake Shore and our beds were made up when we got on which I really appreciated. She was very tuned in to the passengers’ needs. The 16 year old would like to try a trip to California but the 14 year old said he had enough of train travel.
I 💖💖💖💖💖 your channel and your blog so much! I dig your lives, too, where your great chemistry really shines. Although I've been riding Amtrak for a long time, I've learned so many new aspects from you both. (And I adored your European rail videos, too!) As you've told us in a few other videos and this one, a passenger who booked a Viewliner will not know if it'll be a Viewliner I or a Viewliner II. Last fall I booked a sleeping-car compartment (roomette) on the Lake Shore Limited, which I boarded at Buffalo-Depew. (After enjoying a week-long stay in Niagara Falls [NY & Ontario], I boarded Amtrak's Empire Service train around 6:47 a.m. at Niagara Falls, NY, station. I exited about an hour later at Buffalo-Depew, where there was supposed to be a one-hour layover 'til the LSL would arrive around 9 a.m. However, the LSL was delayed the day/night before in Chicago because the train crew hadn't gotten enough rest, and the law [and common sense] says that's necessary to run and manage a train filled with passengers.) Because I view Grounded Life Travel's videos religiously, I knew to be patient. At Buffalo-Depew station, there were more than a few vending machines offering snacks, sodas, water, coffees, espresso, cappuccino, teas and hot chocolate. AND, beyond the parking lot and an easy walk, stood a Tim Horton's. By the time I realized Timmy's was there (I had been dozing off upon seating myself in the spacious area), I was afraid to leave in case the LSL should arrive and then leave without me. However, soon the announcement came on to state that the LSL would be arriving in and hour (it did, a little later -- about 10:20 a.m.). By that time, I was hungry for an actual meal. I didn't want a Pop-Tart or coffee cake from the vending machine or more hot chocolate and coffee. Nor did I desire Timmy's (and I love Timbots). When I had checked out of my Niagara Falls (NY) hotel at 5:45 a.m., it had been too early to enjoy a to-go brekkie, as the breakfast room wouldn't open 'til 7 a.m. So I had hoped that I'd get brekkie once aboard the LSL. I had planned to tell the sleeping-car attendant upon boarding that I'd want breakfast before 9:30 a.m. -- whether in the dining car or in my roomette. To my surprise, after the LSL arrived, everyone in the sleeping car was promised breakfast if we desired. Oh, I desired! I had time to settle in my roomette after the room attendant placed my 26" upright roller suitcase in the rack. (I was wearing my medium-sized stylish backpack and was carrying my weekend bag on my shoulder. I was finishing an eight-night vacation trip, which included a wonderful Niagara County wine tasting, so that weekend bag contained four bottles of vino. It also contained a large wedge of Champagne Cheddar cheese; a souvenir wine glass; a bag of foccacia from DiCamillo's Bakery [yummm!]; a 2-lb.bag of honey-roasted cashew nuts left over from home; and various & sundry souvenirs from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. (I'd brought rolls of bubble wrap from home, knowing that I'd be enjoying wine tastings and purchasing bottles of wine for myself and a few close relatives & friends. Now I have tubes for transporting bottles of wine to or from -- or to and from -- my future vacay destinations, when applicable for domestic rail trips.) So, with my backup serving as my personal bag -- with wallet, passport, cellphone, etc., contained within a secure compartment -- and with my weekend bag containing all of the aforementioned goodies, I knew those two carry-ons were coming with me to my roomette.) Again, this was last autumn, si I expected to board a Viewliner I train. I hoped it would be, because I wanted a commode in my room. As the LSL experienced more delays that had it arriving at Moynihan Train Hall after 9:30 p.m. rather than the 6:42 p.m. time on my e-ticket, I was drinking lots of Amtrak's complimentary beverages. So, of course, it was really convenient not to have to scoot down the corridor to use the restroom (as one must do on a Viewliner II). I also got much-needed sleep in my roomette and wisely had requestes of the room attendant to make up my bed while I was enjoying lunch in the dining car starting around 1 p.m. At breakfast, there was no bacon left, so I had lackluster French toast (very dry) without meat. I did have OJ and coffee. Therefore, by lunchtime, I was still hungry. Sure, I could've munched on the honeyee cashew nuts and/or focaccia in my roomette, but I had vowed weeks prior to my vacay that on my first Amtrak sleeping-car experience ever, I would dine on and imbibe only Amtrak's offerings. I enjoyed the overall LSL ride from Buffalo-Depew to NYC. I always love the long stops at Albany-Rensselaer station when I'm riding The Adirondack, The Maple Leaf and Empire Service. During my first LSL trip, that stop in Albany was, thankfully, very long. I love LD rail travel, so I say "thankfully" because that long stop was a great fresh-air break for ALL passengers (we all were chatting with one another), and it gave ALL of us plenty of time to go up the fine escalator (some passengers ascended on the elevator) to the station's lovely concourse, where there's a waiting area for travelers whose trains will be arriving too long away to wait on the platforms; a newspaper & candy spot; an ATM; a rental-car business; and a very good restaurant. Like my fellow hungry LSL passengers, I joined the long queue for the restaurant and did "eenie-meenie ..." in my mind to decide on a grilled hotdog or grilled hamburger. All the foods smelled so good! I smiled listening to others anticipate their food orders. As the part of the line I was in inched closer to the counter that was close to the grill, I checked my watch and the wall clock -- and all of us began to panick about missing the reboarding of the LSL. While we knew that the conductor or assistant conductor had announced the boarding time (we all had about an hour for the fresh-air break), we still didn't want to "pull it too close." Notice that I'm writing "we." In those situations during a train ride when stuff happens, includinf extensive delays, passengers' sociability really shines. There's a feeling of togetherness. That sense of solidarity was in full effect that autumn evening at Albany-Rensselaer station. I wound up purchasing two jumbo-sized grilled hotdogs, and I loved the cool old-fashioned-style foil pockets for each frankfurter! They reminded me of my dad taking me to the baseball stadium (Shea), of my older brother taking me to Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus every spring, and of every single family trip to our fave drive-in theater on Long Island. Gleefully I cuddled my foil-pocketed hotdogs back to the LSL. We passengers still had about 15-20 minutes remaining. In fact, the sleeping-car attendant (let's call him "Darrin") smiled at those of us rushing toward him before assuring us that we could slow down. I wasn't ashamed to tell him that I was so hungry but that I had figured I'd chow down on some of my goodies around 7 p.m. Why that time? By the time the LSL stopped in Albany, we passengers were told that the ETA at Penn Station/Moynihan Train Hall would be after 9 p.m. ... Well, both hotdogs were scrumptious -- and my review isn't based solely on hunger that evening. As for thirst, I can't recall a rail trip where I drank so many bottles of water and so many cans of Coke. Although dinner wasn't on our dining itinerary for those of us who boarded at or after the Buffalo-Depew station, the dining-car server still placed a complimentary, small bottle of wine on the table at lunchtime. I brought it home; for me, it was an Amtrak souvenir. The next day was a Tuesday morning. I called Amtrak Guest Rewards to complain about the dry French toast on the Flexible Dining menu. I mentioned how the bacon had run out before I boarded in West New York. The customer service rep with whom I spoke already knew about the LSL's extreme delays and the reasons, so I didn't worry about not being believed. I also mentioned that my roomette should've been repaired before that LSL was put on the tracks and that it wasn't "Darrin"'s fault. Within the week, I received a $50.00 e-voucher to apply toward futurr travel. I appreciated the e-voucher, but after I'd spent nearly $315 to travel in an LSL roomette for ride for 9.5 hours (which turned out to be an unexpected more-than-11-hours), I would've appreciated a $75 voucher much more. I'll continue to view (repeatedly) and be entertained by and learn from your videos. Rob+Allie Forever!💖
I forgot to mention that, as you've mentioned in multiple videos over the past year, the LSL I traveled in last fall had a mixture of Viewliner I & Viewliner II cars in its consist. While my battered though comfy roomette was in a Viewliner I car, the sleek dining lounge was in a Viewliner II car. I'm looking forward to another roomette experience aboard the southbound LSL this autumn, so🤞🏾that my roomette will be on a Viewliner II. Then again, if there's a severe delay in Chicago and/or en route to NYC, I'll be wishing I were riding in a Viewliner I with that handy ol' commode right in my room. Last point: when night falls and you're on the LSL and chugging alongside a lake or river, it can feel thrilling as you look outside your car window. Doesn't matter whether you're in a sleeping car or a coach car to experience that thrill. That said, to be reclining in your bed and then to rise and find a large body of water just outside of (and closely below the track level) can be unnerving. I love the rocking of a train (and the horn toots, etc.), but wow! I became a bit scared alone in the roomette, seeing dark water of the Hudson River and a curious-blue night sky as well as haunting mountains across the water. I lay myself back down but felt drawn to gaze out the window from my dark room a little longer. The tableau was a moving painting. As long as I wishee to remain awake, my roomette window was a picture frame.🌚🌉🚉
I've been on the Lakeshore Limited, Pacific Surfliner and Northeast Regional. When I took the Lakeshore Limited to Cleveland, I had the opportunity to upgrade to a roomette and I didn't and after having to pay for the dining room food I was kicking myself.
Just heads up, Lake Shore Limited ONLY have one new VII cars and the rest are old VI but they are working on to replace the remaining when ever knows Amtrak will, hopefully in 2023.
Amtrak never intended to replace Viewliner I fleet, just to expand their Viewliner fleet. The Viewliner I fleet remains. Similar to the situation with the Superliner fleet with Superliner I and II...
As a Northeast Regional and New Haven/ Springfield line “frequent flyer” (Or is it “flier”? There’s no consensus.), I love your content. In Springfield for my short (35 minutes) southbound shuttle jaunt home to Hartford I often gaze across the platform to the waiting westbound Lake Shore Limited passengers and the adventure ahead of them. I’ll take a long distance jaunt one of these days.
Hey! I love your videos. They’re super relaxing and I look forward to every new one you post. I have a question I can’t find the answer to. I drink a lot of hot tea. I see that on your trips there is a coffee pot for sleeper car passengers. I wanted to know the hot water situation. Thanks!
I have the same question. While we know that the sleeping-car attendant can deliver a cup of hot water, a teabag and, if desired, sweetner (and creamer/milk, or a lemon slice), I too would like to know if the *self-serve* station contains a hot-water spout and teabags. Please let us know. Thx!😃
With regard to access to Amtrak lounges...at least with Amtrak Guest Rewards members...you can buy a ticket to enter a lounge for what works out to be about $37 in Guest Rewards points.(You used to be able ot buy the for $20). It's for one or two guests and apparently may be used by friends. To get free tickets you'd have to spend at least $1000 in cash in travel on Amtrak. Over the years the lowest level of Guest Rewards would get two tickets free/year. That perk was silently taken away at least a few years ago. Even at $37, especially on a long trip, the lounges are a breath of fresh air.
As a basic-level AGR member, I only have access to Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge when I'm a sleeping-car passenger. I can use it before boarding or after disembarking. But, say, if I ride coach class, I cannot access a Metropolitan Lounge. However, high-tier AGR members, Amtrak MasterCard cardholders and high-tier Acela members can access a Metropolitan Lounge -- if there is one at your station of departure or your arrival station. Anyone reading this can call 1-800-USA-RAIL or, if you're an AGR member, Amtrak Guest Rewards.
No... Amtrak considers the Viewliner I and II in the same manner as the Superliner I and II are the same... You get what you get... Amtrak doesn't know which cars are in maintenance at any given time when you book six months or more in advance... I have flown many times in jets that don't match the ticket... Surely you don't expect Amtrak to be any better forecasting maintenance issues several months in advance...
I was in the Moynihan Train Hall last year. One thing that stood out to me was the lack of seating on the main floor. We guessed that this was a deliberate decision to keep the bums from taking up residence there. Oh, excuse, me, I mean homeless people.
Just got home from our trip on the Lake Shore limited ( 1) on the way to New York from Ohio we had roomett the food was good but the attendant acted like he didn’t want to give us another drink or water? We both had the butter cake also!
Amtrak does a good job keeping their cars clean, but alas, there are not enough personnel to clean showers or rest rooms after each person. My mom taught me to leave a public restroom cleaner than when you entered it... Unfortunately this manner isn't being taught today... If the shower doesn't meet your expectations when you enter, leave it meeting your expectations...
Looks great! Nice new spacious train. Great looking food, what's not to like, and that gorgeous NYC lounge as a bonus. I wonder if you had a camera leba filter on the outside views, looked "beige", sort of cool, like a antique patina olden days Midwest look. You guys have it made, traveling the world. Perhaps one or both of you do remote work?? If I can ask??
In July4-8 my autistic son and I are going to Pokémon go New York from Michigan I already booked are bus/ Amtrak cheapest ride to New York ( 2 hrs on bus then 4 hr plus lay over in Ohio 10:30pm-3:15 am ) so I put in a bid for a roomette ( lowest as I couldn’t afford more) sure hope we get it? probably not riding coach on the way back
I just had a couple questions after having viewed several of your videos both train and & cruising. I know you sold everything but it seems like you have various clothing depending on suitcases where do you store the things you didn't get rid of? Also, is there an international medical insurance plan?
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 Here's what I found out, the New York section of the Lake Shore Ltd. features Viewliners II and are assigned numbers 4812/4912, while the Boston section features Viewliners I. This is something I found online not from my own experience. The thing is that I got myself a ticket (haven't ridden the train yet) for the New York section of the Lake Shore Limited and I was assigned a 4912 Roomette, whether that's a Viewliner I or II remains to be seen but I'll confirm or deny when I'm back from my trip. Maybe someone out there who might have taken the train from or to Boston can provide more info.
@@BeemerTwelve Good luck which one do you hope for a Viewliner I with a toliet next to you seat and bed, or Viewliner II which has no toliet in the roommate but both still have a sink in the roommate.
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 I don't like the idea of having a toilet next to the bed, the more toilets on a train the more likely they were cleaned in a rush or not cleaned at all. I think it's unsanitary. I'd like to ride on one of the the spanish Viewliners, they seem so much nicer.
@@BeemerTwelve Viewliner II is 4912. Will be in that room on our October Trip back from Rensselauer, NY to Chicago, Going there we will be in a 4811 Viewliner I car.
Hi! When did you take this trip. My husband and I were planning to go from Cleveland OH to Boston on the Lake Shore Limited. We were told that it was closed west of Albany due to a non Amtrak building being in a dangerous condition. So we’re doing a road-trip instead. We would have had to take a bus for part of our trip. That would have defeated the purpose of trying a shorter trip for our maiden voyage on Amtrak. Any news on that?
HI u said u could use syrup to put flavors in iced tea, what type of syrup can I use? can I use like strawberry pancake syrup for it or what type of strawberry syrup to be used in iced tea?
One question. One comment: - -Allie said that there is no observation car, early in the trip, along the river. I have heard that "The Limited," begins the journey to Chicago as 2 smaller trains ... one from NYC, and the other from Boston, and they join up in (I think I heard) Albany. Is that the case, and does the Boston train have an observation car for the rest of the trip? I'm interested in the details, as I'm planning to do a cross-country trip from Emeryville to Chicago to Boston, for next spring. -- Last month, I took the Coast Starlight, round-trip from Emeryville to Seattle. That VERY small corner-situated sink, in the bathroom, was a "challenge" to me when I was brushing my teeth. When the train was seriously "in motion," it was impossible not to dribble water all over the floor in front of the sink. It was like a scene out of a comedy movie. I'm used to the larger sink that is placed LATERALLY, across the left hand side of the bathroom, as you enter the bathroom. -- Love your channel, and Amtrak!
The diner, a few sleepers and coaches go to New York City, whereas the cafe, a few sleepers and coaches go to Boston...Both trains are expected to reach their final destinations before dinner. Usually the diner shuts downs after lunch. There aren't two diners or cafes on this train west of Albany, just one each. Amtrak does similar shunting operations in Spokane with the Empire Builder and the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited in San Antonio...
I remember hearing that the Viewliners are used due to their height. I believe it is the Boston an maybe the NY station aren't equipped to handle the Observation car. West and to Chicago the observation cars are used.
I read a story recently in a railroad magazine about a tourist guide back in the 1960s who hosted trips from Chicago to Canada & back. The tourists rode in 2 sleeping cars that were attached to various passenger trains. On a train that ran through rural, western Minnesota at night to Winnipeg, he recommended to the tourists that they should pull up the window curtains & watch the stars while lying in bed. This is something that you can do now since these new roomettes have a window for the upper berth!
If I might ask, what was your room #? I saw that you entered by a sign that said 4912. Next month we will be in room 1 in car # 4912. What a small world!
The only Amtrak line that goes through Denver is the California Zephyr. That one runs from Oakland to Chicago (it runs through Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City and Denver). So it all depends where you want to start your trip
Problem I see with the Viewliners (! or II) is that neither my wife nor I can climb any longer. Both handclapped by mobility problems that (among other things) preclude climbing steps. Honestly, we need a double bed for overnight, but not sure any level of accommodation on Amtrak provides that. Maybe a Deluxe Bedroom? We can, slowly and with difficulty, make it up steps with handrails (like to upper level of a Superliner.
A bedroom has a lower bed that is A BIT bigger than a roomette bed (looks like the lower bed in the accessible room is the same size); off the top of my head, I'd suggest booking the family room, a bedroom suite, or try to talk to a customer service agent to see if you can book two roomettes across from each other.
Sorry about your mobility difficulties. Many of the eastern stations, particularly on the Northeast Corridor, have nigh platforms, so you would have less to worry about with entry. Other stations have wheelchair lifts. There are choices in sleeper rooms: not just the roomettes, but also the bedroom and the handicapped bedroom.
I think the east coast has dedicated Amtrak tracks. Wish the rest of the Country did. But we decided to make Highways instead. Being retired I love to be on Amtrak. The rocking makes for great sleep also. The Hudson is wider than I was thinking. Boy I thought you were going to say the trip cost you 22K dollars. The food looks great. Thank you about the tipping no one else talks about that. Think I will have the attendant make up the bed. Wouldn't be cool if planes had big window like Amtrak?
That breakfast looked good while in Toledo! Dan was born in Toledo! Great review and showing the pains and gains of train travel. Delays will happen. Love riding Amtrak? Check out our playlist, we've toured several stations in many US States. Love you guys!
Grounded. Life. Travel. Is the. Best.... Thank. You, folks. For. Your. Travel. On. The. Trains. And. All. Of. The. Valuable. Information. From. Someone. Who loves. Train. Travel. So. Much and. Older. Now. Can't. Do it. Like I. Use. To. You. Two. Make. Me. Feel. Like.
You look so pretty in this video Allie. Lovely jewelry and your hair is so nice!
Great video. I enjoy following you. Last year & this year, I have been on all three.. I love this train journey, going on the City of New Orleans train at the end of this month... keep up the awesome job you're doing with your reviews!😊
Very Nice Video. Although I don't like the Moynahan Station, I loved the way your Video showed its amenities. I have traveled this route years ago and enjoyed the trip immensely. I loved the way you and husband explained the features about train travel on the LAKE SHORE LIMITED.
Looking forward to having my own Amtrak adventure.
Really appreciate you two! Upon retirement as I've told you before, I want to go wherever Amtrak goes in our country. You have given me, and so many more, great insights into how to do so.
Thanks!!
Was just thinking I hadn’t checked out a video in a while. What a trip and beautiful new Viewliner! Love the Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge!
Thanks!
Thank you for this video, my wife and I our taking Amtrack from Toledo Ohio to New York city and back for 3 days in Oct can't wait.
I would like to see pasta, meatballs and salmon together : ) That would be the best meal ever. Watching from Lafayette Louisiana
I'll be traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief this summer with a one week stopover in Albuquerque and then from Los Angele to Salem Oregon on the Coast Starlight. The final leg will be from Salem back to Sacramento on the Starlight and then on to Chicago on the California Zephyr. I love Amtrak and do at least on trip a year. One of these days I hope to be lucky enough to run into you two and be able to say hello and tell you in person how much I appreciate your channel. Thanks for the great travelogues!
Thanks so much!
I took the LakeShore Limited in late August 2022. I didn’t get a view liner 2. Also, I tried to get in the lounge with a coach ticket and you’re right, they wouldn’t let me in the Moynihan lounge. However, I didn’t realize this this ride would be so long. On the return trip I upgraded to a roomette and did get into the lounge in Chicago which is not nearly as cool as New York according to what I see in your video.
I love watching y’all videos just for the food 😂 I love it!
Thank you 😋
So excited thanks for your reviews. I am now an Amtrak rider taking advantage of Business class seats more room. Thank you we can now visit our children without the hassle of driving.
Thanks for all Amtrak tips
Thanks so much for the prize
Thanks for sharing. Need to plan a trip. I love trains.
My city, it's all redone and looking awesome by the way.
Hi. Just came back from the eye doctor and yes, I need new glasses. I showed them this video and they didn’t have a pair exactly like yours, Allison but she showed me three pairs that were close and I picked a pair. Thanks for the fashion advice.
Hip Optical may have similar frames. Check their site.
Thanks for doing this particular video. The Lake Shore limited
Comes thru my town. I want to take it someday. Thanks for all the info you give. It will make everything easier when I finally go.
What snacks do you guys bring along the journey? Great video thanks for sharing
My wife and I really enjoy your content. We plan to do an Amtrak trip across the U.S. next year.
I LOVE the three-egg omelet!
Hello I'm a fan of yours,I live in The Town of Poughkeepsie - we hear the Amtrak and Metro North trains daily!! Keep the videos coming!! Happy travels 😊
Thanks!
Thanks for another wonderful Amtrak video. I’m determined to follow one of your trips. 👍👍👍
My son and I were on the Lakeshore Limited to Boston 2 weeks ago in a roomette. We loved the blankets in our roomette!
Hey, we were at Penn Station May 1st to board the Silver Star to Orlando. We missed you by just a few hours in the Metropolitan Lounge! 😊
Great Job Professional Class Travel Amtrak 🇺🇸
We live in Chicago and definitely want to ride this train to NYC.
When I was there last year there was no place to sit!
I love the new bedding. I got to try them when I took the Chief roomette from LA to Chi. I also did the Lakeshore limited this summer too. It's a beautiful route.
Those blankets are really nice!
Great video
Their new blankets are amazing!! I have a few of them at home from my trips and hands down my favorite to lounge around with.
Did you purchase them?
Thanks for this post it got me excited for my Oct trip!! Can't wait!!
I absolutely love watching y'all.. I started a few months ago and so enjoy your great vlogs..thanks so much😊😊🙏🏾🙋🏽♀️
You are so welcome
Exciting to see the new rooms! The Lake Shore Limited is one of my favorite routes. I look forward to being able to ride in one!
After like 10 Amtrak journeys, I still didn't know about the "status" button on the app! You guys are always so informative! Thanks for the video.
Thank you both for bringing us on your trips. I rode Amtrak for the first time ever from NJ to FL (I hate flying) just last month to see family. Your videos made me feel super confident and knowledgeable on my trip. We rode coach going to FL and then we won a bid for a sleeper for the ride back home (you should talk about bids in a video!) I will say people should be prepared for a rocky ride. That wasn’t something I was prepared for at all. The train moves a lot! Especially in coach. That’s just another suggested point I think you should share with your viewers. You don’t feel it nearly as much in the sleeper but still worth addressing. I felt like I was still rocking for about an hour after getting off the train. Thank you again and safe travels! Ps. The butter cake is amazing! Highly recommend!
Agreed on your point about bids👍🏼 Please, GLT, create a video only about placing a bid for an upgrade on an Amtrak train. I found my first time bidding to be tricky because, for one, I hadn't known about bidding until the night before the *return* leg of my Amtrak round trip. Even if I weren't a member of Amtrak Guest Rewards, I'd be miffed about not knowing about bidding 'til the Eleventh Hour. A video on bidding, by Grounded Life Travel, also would be educational with regard to the costs. I felt disappointed when my bid apparently wasn't high enough (or, perhaps, too late?).
Other UA-camrs have said that the trip from NYC to Miami is very rocky. One young woman got motion sickness. Next time (if?), she will take motion sickness medication with her.
Outstanding video! Another great job!
You guys do a fantastic job!
Well done video as always. I enjoyed it 👍
Thanks for this Great Review!♡
Great video, as always. You were so lucky to get the new Viewliner II! My only complaint (not for you two) is that I wish the train traveled between Buffalo and Cleveland during the daylight hours. I guess the "Limited" in "Lakeshore Limited" is because you have extremely limited daylight hours to see the lake! It looks like if I want to see the lake I need to go eastbound.
Yes, we've never gone eastbound on it, so we agree!
Loving your videos! So awesome to see you both enjoying this new liner. God bless, continue having fun, and take care.🙏🏻🙂
Very nice video.
Recently rode the Cardinal viewliner 2. First time on overnight trains. I have appreciated your videos and learned a lot ahead of our trip. Several things we learned. The viewliner compared with the superliner does have more in roomette storage space BUT be conscious of what you REALLY need in your room as far as bags. Do not bring a lot. Bags everywhere and having to move them is a PITA. The second reality is there is very little space in the roomette with the beds set up. Getting changed and getting at bags is not easy. We did our beds ourselves.
Yes check luggage you don't need. Unlike Superliners there is no storage space outside your room.
Thank you for referencing that the Cardinal has the Viewliner II trains as I've been unable to confirm whether or not they're using them as I cannot stand the toilet being in the room. I'm taking a trip on the Cardinal in a few weeks and it will be my third time on that train and I'm really looking forward to the roomette without a toilet in it.
@@joanl8060 If the toilet bothers you why don't you just use the public one?
@@randall8379 on those cars there is no public toilet, only if your room there is a toliet, you will have to walk to a viewliner II car if they train has one to use the public toliet in the sleeper car or if no viewliner II cars you will have to walk all the way to coach to use the public bathroom.
I'd carry easily disposable black tea sachets from Harney & Sons in New York. Their website has 300+ varieties of fine teas. Amtrak's free sugar and hot water can be used on board 24/7.
Do you have access to ice throughout the trip? I like to drink a lot of cold ice water when I travel. Thanks for the cool, low key videos.,
A decade ago Amtrak had a ice chest in the sleepers, but it would melt before it was restocked with ice, at least in the chest it kept cold. Frankly, I bring my own electric cooler I use for my insulin which keep my drinks and insulin cold, although maybe not ice cold. Do bring a power cord for more outlets whether in a sleeper or in coach.
@@ronclark9724 Thanks Ron for the excellent response. I am assuming that Antrak does not have ice making machines on board for the sleeper car passengers at least. I am taking my first sleeper car excursion in October so I'm just trying to think ahead. Cheers.
@@ClubhouseRide For Sleeper Antendentas they can bring you free ice just ask when they are awake. If you ride coach you can ask the cafe car and might be a slight charge for a cup. but not the ice.
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 Thanks for the info. Yes, I'll be taking a sleeper car so glad to hear.
@@ClubhouseRide Your Welcome and you also have a unlimited supply of non-alchoilc drinks for your whole ride in a sleeper.
Moynihan Train Hall & the Metropolitan Lounge are AMAZING!
We did LkShrLtd (NY=>Chg) in June and had the Viewliner1 Rmtte. My wife was freaked out by the toilet even though we never opened it. VwII appears to be very nice!
In our experiences, the shared toilets on a sleeping car are fine.
Thanks to a great SleepingCar Attdt, we were able to sample one of Full Bedrooms from Elkhart into Chicago.
Roomette is too small for two humans. Bedrooms are far far better and have a private bathroom
It's so great we all share our feedback- for me as a solo traveler older adult having the commode in the V1 would work for me as I get up frequently in the night if u know what I mean😊
@@sbeckas True but Amtrak thinks otherwise, unfortunately.
Have you thought about doing long trip on the train were you dress up for meals and have all your meals in the dinning car. like they used to do . enjoy you videos. John
Can you guys do the Maple Leaf next to Toronto? Id love to see how Amtrak deals with border crossings post CVD. Thank you. Oh and possibly a via rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver?
I do not think it is running at least all the way to Toronto yet. I could be wrong though.
We've actually just booked both of those! We are so excited to do them. We are going in December.
I love when I get a response... Even more so when it is in alignment with my manifestations.
Many appreciations, I will be sure to tune in!!
Hey Guys, this will be my next full route I try. Might fly back home.
Love your videos. Was that a go pro attached to the window? What kind of attachment did you use for the window? What kind of camera do you use besides the one on the window? Brand and models for all please. Thank you😀
Thoughts on why they are still serving flex meals on the eastern trains?
During the pandemic Amtrak furloughed much of its diner staff. It isn't Amtrak's fault many found other jobs during the TWO YEARS they were furloughed. Obviously it will take up to a year or more to HIRE and TRAIN new employees... Government shut downs have consequences... Welcome to reality... When just about every restaurant has a HELP WANTED sign on their front door or window, furloughed employees found other jobs...
It makes no sense. I regularly read rail-related blogs and forums, where insiders claim that someday soon traditional dining might come to East Cst trains. It appears that before that happens, coach passengers might be permitted to dine in the same lounge as sleeping-car passengers -- but they'd have to pay for their meals. Rail insiders are chatting about this happening by next year (maybe).
Is the silver meteor running and how long does it take from Washington DC to Tampa Florida thank you
Hello, Allie and Rob! It’s me, again. Thank you, again, for answering our questions. I wanted to ask if you use a travel agent to book your travels, or do you book independently? I am, now, traveling full-time and not sure if I should use an agent or book my own travels. I find it easier to book the travel myself because I know my specific wants/needs, and I can be a little picky. I see that you do as much travel as I am planning to do, so I wanted to ask how you book your travels. Thank you!
I would like to know a rough date of when your trips happen- what month & whether it was at beginning or end of month-it helps to figure out daylight hours & weather for my future trips. I know your videos take a lot of work (they are so well done) so posting may take a long from the actual dates of the trips.
Is it correct that withOUT the commode, that seat is wider? Just watching your videos I can't decide commode-vs-not either. 😄 Convenience versus ickyness. Traveling alone = yes commode. With someone = likely not.
Have you all travelled solo, and if so what are your thoughts?
If you are on a viewliner you really don't get to pick, they'll give you the 1 or 2 but you don't get a choice.
I'm a solo female traveler, and I had a roomette last fall on a Viewliner I. So there was a toilet in the room. That was a plus! For my upcoming trip on the LSL this fall, I'll tuck a can of Lysol in my carry-on in case I'm on a Viewliner I again. Why? While the toilet is convenient, it's right beside the door. So it's not a bad idea to spray a little Lysol or use an air freshener to spare anyone walking past your compartment. I would find the in-room commode awkward if I were sharing the roomette with someone. But please note: As others have mentioned, a roomette is very tight for two adults *when the beds are made up*. A roomette is cozy but not unbearable for two adults when the seats are in position.
Love you videos and thank you. Beyond points or planning in advance. Are there ever fall Amtrak deals?
Amtrak has dynamic pricing like the rest of the hospitality industry. Fares vary considerably when you book and when you travel, the fuller the train the higher the fare. Book early, even six months or more in advance, and book to travel on a slow day, avoid holidays and weekends. Cover yourself, if a sale happens after you book, cancel and rebook during the sale. Usually the middle of the week has lower fares, even a day can see a significant difference. Usually Tuesday or Wednesday have lower fares. Do receive notifications of special promotions from Amtrak's website. Coach fares are considerably cheaper than any sleeper accommodation, although you may choose to bring cold cut or peanut butter sandwiches, avoid the cafe car and diner riding in coach. Amtrak did have great deals during the pandemic when so much of the country was shut down... Sorry you missed it. It happened once, it may happen again...
I took my teenage Grandsons to Chicago via Cardinal and returned on LSLimited. We had a great time. I thought I may have missed lake views because we left Chicago at 9:30 pm but it doesn’t look like we missed much during the night. We had an awesome attendant named Celenia on the Lake Shore and our beds were made up when we got on which I really appreciated. She was very tuned in to the passengers’ needs. The 16 year old would like to try a trip to California but the 14 year old said he had enough of train travel.
I 💖💖💖💖💖 your channel and your blog so much! I dig your lives, too, where your great chemistry really shines.
Although I've been riding Amtrak for a long time, I've learned so many new aspects from you both. (And I adored your European rail videos, too!) As you've told us in a few other videos and this one, a passenger who booked a Viewliner will not know if it'll be a Viewliner I or a Viewliner II. Last fall I booked a sleeping-car compartment (roomette) on the Lake Shore Limited, which I boarded at Buffalo-Depew. (After enjoying a week-long stay in Niagara Falls [NY & Ontario], I boarded Amtrak's Empire Service train around 6:47 a.m. at Niagara Falls, NY, station. I exited about an hour later at Buffalo-Depew, where there was supposed to be a one-hour layover 'til the LSL would arrive around 9 a.m. However, the LSL was delayed the day/night before in Chicago because the train crew hadn't gotten enough rest, and the law [and common sense] says that's necessary to run and manage a train filled with passengers.) Because I view Grounded Life Travel's videos religiously, I knew to be patient. At Buffalo-Depew station, there were more than a few vending machines offering snacks, sodas, water, coffees, espresso, cappuccino, teas and hot chocolate. AND, beyond the parking lot and an easy walk, stood a Tim Horton's. By the time I realized Timmy's was there (I had been dozing off upon seating myself in the spacious area), I was afraid to leave in case the LSL should arrive and then leave without me. However, soon the announcement came on to state that the LSL would be arriving in and hour (it did, a little later -- about 10:20 a.m.). By that time, I was hungry for an actual meal. I didn't want a Pop-Tart or coffee cake from the vending machine or more hot chocolate and coffee. Nor did I desire Timmy's (and I love Timbots). When I had checked out of my Niagara Falls (NY) hotel at 5:45 a.m., it had been too early to enjoy a to-go brekkie, as the breakfast room wouldn't open 'til 7 a.m. So I had hoped that I'd get brekkie once aboard the LSL. I had planned to tell the sleeping-car attendant upon boarding that I'd want breakfast before 9:30 a.m. -- whether in the dining car or in my roomette. To my surprise, after the LSL arrived, everyone in the sleeping car was promised breakfast if we desired. Oh, I desired! I had time to settle in my roomette after the room attendant placed my 26" upright roller suitcase in the rack.
(I was wearing my medium-sized stylish backpack and was carrying my weekend bag on my shoulder. I was finishing an eight-night vacation trip, which included a wonderful Niagara County wine tasting, so that weekend bag contained four bottles of vino. It also contained a large wedge of Champagne Cheddar cheese; a souvenir wine glass; a bag of foccacia from DiCamillo's Bakery [yummm!]; a 2-lb.bag of honey-roasted cashew nuts left over from home; and various & sundry souvenirs from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. (I'd brought rolls of bubble wrap from home, knowing that I'd be enjoying wine tastings and purchasing bottles of wine for myself and a few close relatives & friends. Now I have tubes for transporting bottles of wine to or from -- or to and from -- my future vacay destinations, when applicable for domestic rail trips.) So, with my backup serving as my personal bag -- with wallet, passport, cellphone, etc., contained within a secure compartment -- and with my weekend bag containing all of the aforementioned goodies, I knew those two carry-ons were coming with me to my roomette.)
Again, this was last autumn, si I expected to board a Viewliner I train. I hoped it would be, because I wanted a commode in my room. As the LSL experienced more delays that had it arriving at Moynihan Train Hall after 9:30 p.m. rather than the 6:42 p.m. time on my e-ticket, I was drinking lots of Amtrak's complimentary beverages. So, of course, it was really convenient not to have to scoot down the corridor to use the restroom (as one must do on a Viewliner II). I also got much-needed sleep in my roomette and wisely had requestes of the room attendant to make up my bed while I was enjoying lunch in the dining car starting around 1 p.m. At breakfast, there was no bacon left, so I had lackluster French toast (very dry) without meat. I did have OJ and coffee. Therefore, by lunchtime, I was still hungry. Sure, I could've munched on the honeyee cashew nuts and/or focaccia in my roomette, but I had vowed weeks prior to my vacay that on my first Amtrak sleeping-car experience ever, I would dine on and imbibe only Amtrak's offerings.
I enjoyed the overall LSL ride from Buffalo-Depew to NYC. I always love the long stops at Albany-Rensselaer station when I'm riding The Adirondack, The Maple Leaf and Empire Service. During my first LSL trip, that stop in Albany was, thankfully, very long. I love LD rail travel, so I say "thankfully" because that long stop was a great fresh-air break for ALL passengers (we all were chatting with one another), and it gave ALL of us plenty of time to go up the fine escalator (some passengers ascended on the elevator) to the station's lovely concourse, where there's a waiting area for travelers whose trains will be arriving too long away to wait on the platforms; a newspaper & candy spot; an ATM; a rental-car business; and a very good restaurant. Like my fellow hungry LSL passengers, I joined the long queue for the restaurant and did "eenie-meenie ..." in my mind to decide on a grilled hotdog or grilled hamburger. All the foods smelled so good! I smiled listening to others anticipate their food orders. As the part of the line I was in inched closer to the counter that was close to the grill, I checked my watch and the wall clock -- and all of us began to panick about missing the reboarding of the LSL. While we knew that the conductor or assistant conductor had announced the boarding time (we all had about an hour for the fresh-air break), we still didn't want to "pull it too close." Notice that I'm writing "we." In those situations during a train ride when stuff happens, includinf extensive delays, passengers' sociability really shines. There's a feeling of togetherness. That sense of solidarity was in full effect that autumn evening at Albany-Rensselaer station. I wound up purchasing two jumbo-sized grilled hotdogs, and I loved the cool old-fashioned-style foil pockets for each frankfurter! They reminded me of my dad taking me to the baseball stadium (Shea), of my older brother taking me to Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus every spring, and of every single family trip to our fave drive-in theater on Long Island. Gleefully I cuddled my foil-pocketed hotdogs back to the LSL. We passengers still had about 15-20 minutes remaining. In fact, the sleeping-car attendant (let's call him "Darrin") smiled at those of us rushing toward him before assuring us that we could slow down. I wasn't ashamed to tell him that I was so hungry but that I had figured I'd chow down on some of my goodies around 7 p.m. Why that time? By the time the LSL stopped in Albany, we passengers were told that the ETA at Penn Station/Moynihan Train Hall would be after 9 p.m. ... Well, both hotdogs were scrumptious -- and my review isn't based solely on hunger that evening. As for thirst, I can't recall a rail trip where I drank so many bottles of water and so many cans of Coke. Although dinner wasn't on our dining itinerary for those of us who boarded at or after the Buffalo-Depew station, the dining-car server still placed a complimentary, small bottle of wine on the table at lunchtime. I brought it home; for me, it was an Amtrak souvenir.
The next day was a Tuesday morning. I called Amtrak Guest Rewards to complain about the dry French toast on the Flexible Dining menu. I mentioned how the bacon had run out before I boarded in West New York. The customer service rep with whom I spoke already knew about the LSL's extreme delays and the reasons, so I didn't worry about not being believed. I also mentioned that my roomette should've been repaired before that LSL was put on the tracks and that it wasn't "Darrin"'s fault. Within the week, I received a $50.00 e-voucher to apply toward futurr travel. I appreciated the e-voucher, but after I'd spent nearly $315 to travel in an LSL roomette for ride for 9.5 hours (which turned out to be an unexpected more-than-11-hours), I would've appreciated a $75 voucher much more.
I'll continue to view (repeatedly) and be entertained by and learn from your videos. Rob+Allie Forever!💖
I forgot to mention that, as you've mentioned in multiple videos over the past year, the LSL I traveled in last fall had a mixture of Viewliner I & Viewliner II cars in its consist. While my battered though comfy roomette was in a Viewliner I car, the sleek dining lounge was in a Viewliner II car.
I'm looking forward to another roomette experience aboard the southbound LSL this autumn, so🤞🏾that my roomette will be on a Viewliner II. Then again, if there's a severe delay in Chicago and/or en route to NYC, I'll be wishing I were riding in a Viewliner I with that handy ol' commode right in my room.
Last point: when night falls and you're on the LSL and chugging alongside a lake or river, it can feel thrilling as you look outside your car window. Doesn't matter whether you're in a sleeping car or a coach car to experience that thrill. That said, to be reclining in your bed and then to rise and find a large body of water just outside of (and closely below the track level) can be unnerving. I love the rocking of a train (and the horn toots, etc.), but wow! I became a bit scared alone in the roomette, seeing dark water of the Hudson River and a curious-blue night sky as well as haunting mountains across the water. I lay myself back down but felt drawn to gaze out the window from my dark room a little longer. The tableau was a moving painting. As long as I wishee to remain awake, my roomette window was a picture frame.🌚🌉🚉
Thanks so much for watching and supporting us! and thanks for sharing your stories too!
I've been on the Lakeshore Limited, Pacific Surfliner and Northeast Regional. When I took the Lakeshore Limited to Cleveland, I had the opportunity to upgrade to a roomette and I didn't and after having to pay for the dining room food I was kicking myself.
Just heads up, Lake Shore Limited ONLY have one new VII cars and the rest are old VI but they are working on to replace the remaining when ever knows Amtrak will, hopefully in 2023.
Amtrak never intended to replace Viewliner I fleet, just to expand their Viewliner fleet. The Viewliner I fleet remains. Similar to the situation with the Superliner fleet with Superliner I and II...
As a Northeast Regional and New Haven/ Springfield line “frequent flyer” (Or is it “flier”? There’s no consensus.), I love your content.
In Springfield for my short (35 minutes) southbound shuttle jaunt home to Hartford I often gaze across the platform to the waiting westbound Lake Shore Limited passengers and the adventure ahead of them.
I’ll take a long distance jaunt one of these days.
Thanks so much!
Hey! I love your videos. They’re super relaxing and I look forward to every new one you post. I have a question I can’t find the answer to. I drink a lot of hot tea. I see that on your trips there is a coffee pot for sleeper car passengers. I wanted to know the hot water situation. Thanks!
I have the same question. While we know that the sleeping-car attendant can deliver a cup of hot water, a teabag and, if desired, sweetner (and creamer/milk, or a lemon slice), I too would like to know if the *self-serve* station contains a hot-water spout and teabags.
Please let us know. Thx!😃
I just got my tickets for the coast starlighter. Can't go till next mon. Had to wait a week for a sleeper. Lol
How was the trip?
Normally how many hours is that ride from New York City to Chicago? Great video 😊
When I took it, in the reverse direction mind you, it took 25 hours lol.
@@StarFighters76 Wow!! Thanks for the reply
With regard to access to Amtrak lounges...at least with Amtrak Guest Rewards members...you can buy a ticket to enter a lounge for what works out to be about $37 in Guest Rewards points.(You used to be able ot buy the for $20). It's for one or two guests and apparently may be used by friends. To get free tickets you'd have to spend at least $1000 in cash in travel on Amtrak. Over the years the lowest level of Guest Rewards would get two tickets free/year. That perk was silently taken away at least a few years ago. Even at $37, especially on a long trip, the lounges are a breath of fresh air.
As a basic-level AGR member, I only have access to Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge when I'm a sleeping-car passenger. I can use it before boarding or after disembarking. But, say, if I ride coach class, I cannot access a Metropolitan Lounge. However, high-tier AGR members, Amtrak MasterCard cardholders and high-tier Acela members can access a Metropolitan Lounge -- if there is one at your station of departure or your arrival station. Anyone reading this can call 1-800-USA-RAIL or, if you're an AGR member, Amtrak Guest Rewards.
Great video! 😊❤
Thanks, this is great. Is there any way to tell on your ticket what kind of Viewliner your train will be?
No... Amtrak considers the Viewliner I and II in the same manner as the Superliner I and II are the same... You get what you get... Amtrak doesn't know which cars are in maintenance at any given time when you book six months or more in advance... I have flown many times in jets that don't match the ticket... Surely you don't expect Amtrak to be any better forecasting maintenance issues several months in advance...
Looking for a Chicago to Boston.R/T next fall. Roomettes vs Bedroom? Size of lower birth bedroom for 2? Mobility issues vs. Upper berth. Thanks
I was in the Moynihan Train Hall last year. One thing that stood out to me was the lack of seating on the main floor. We guessed that this was a deliberate decision to keep the bums from taking up residence there. Oh, excuse, me, I mean homeless people.
Just got home from our trip on the Lake Shore limited ( 1) on the way to New York from Ohio we had roomett the food was good but the attendant acted like he didn’t want to give us another drink or water? We both had the butter cake also!
Are the showers cleaned after each person uses it?
No
Amtrak does a good job keeping their cars clean, but alas, there are not enough personnel to clean showers or rest rooms after each person. My mom taught me to leave a public restroom cleaner than when you entered it... Unfortunately this manner isn't being taught today... If the shower doesn't meet your expectations when you enter, leave it meeting your expectations...
Looks great! Nice new spacious train. Great looking food, what's not to like, and that gorgeous NYC lounge as a bonus. I wonder if you had a camera leba filter on the outside views, looked "beige", sort of cool, like a antique patina olden days Midwest look. You guys have it made, traveling the world. Perhaps one or both of you do remote work?? If I can ask??
In July4-8 my autistic son and I are going to Pokémon go New York from Michigan I already booked are bus/ Amtrak cheapest ride to New York ( 2 hrs on bus then 4 hr plus lay over in Ohio 10:30pm-3:15 am ) so I put in a bid for a roomette
( lowest as I couldn’t afford more) sure hope we get it? probably not riding coach on the way back
I just had a couple questions after having viewed several of your videos both train and & cruising. I know you sold everything but it seems like you have various clothing depending on suitcases where do you store the things you didn't get rid of? Also, is there an international medical insurance plan?
Is there a way of knowing in advance when you ride the Lake Shore Ltd. whether your cabin is in a viewliner I or viewliner II?
no there is no way to know usually a 50 percent to get one or the other.
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 Here's what I found out, the New York section of the Lake Shore Ltd. features Viewliners II and are assigned numbers 4812/4912, while the Boston section features Viewliners I. This is something I found online not from my own experience. The thing is that I got myself a ticket (haven't ridden the train yet) for the New York section of the Lake Shore Limited and I was assigned a 4912 Roomette, whether that's a Viewliner I or II remains to be seen but I'll confirm or deny when I'm back from my trip.
Maybe someone out there who might have taken the train from or to Boston can provide more info.
@@BeemerTwelve Good luck which one do you hope for a Viewliner I with a toliet next to you seat and bed, or Viewliner II which has no toliet in the roommate but both still have a sink in the roommate.
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 I don't like the idea of having a toilet next to the bed, the more toilets on a train the more likely they were cleaned in a rush or not cleaned at all. I think it's unsanitary. I'd like to ride on one of the the spanish Viewliners, they seem so much nicer.
@@BeemerTwelve Viewliner II is 4912. Will be in that room on our October Trip back from Rensselauer, NY to Chicago, Going there we will be in a 4811 Viewliner I car.
Im taking an amtrak trip and want to film it, can you give me a link or direct me where you bought that mountable camera on the window??
Is business class coming back to the LSL?
I would have thought that was a retrofitted superliner 1 washroom if you hadn't told me.
ROB - re: safety straps on upper bunk - has it happened that you've actually needed/ended up in the safety harness???? 😲😲😲
No I've never rolled out thankfully!
Hi! When did you take this trip. My husband and I were planning to go from Cleveland OH to Boston on the Lake Shore Limited. We were told that it was closed west of Albany due to a non Amtrak building being in a dangerous condition. So we’re doing a road-trip instead. We would have had to take a bus for part of our trip. That would have defeated the purpose of trying a shorter trip for our maiden voyage on Amtrak. Any news on that?
That was only an issue for just a few days. Trains were soon back in place.
HI u said u could use syrup to put flavors in iced tea, what type of syrup can I use? can I use like strawberry pancake syrup for it or what type of strawberry syrup to be used in iced tea?
One question. One comment:
- -Allie said that there is no observation car, early in the trip, along the river. I have heard that "The Limited," begins the journey to Chicago as 2 smaller trains ... one from NYC, and the other from Boston, and they join up in (I think I heard) Albany. Is that the case, and does the Boston train have an observation car for the rest of the trip? I'm interested in the details, as I'm planning to do a cross-country trip from Emeryville to Chicago to Boston, for next spring.
-- Last month, I took the Coast Starlight, round-trip from Emeryville to Seattle. That VERY small corner-situated sink, in the bathroom, was a "challenge" to me when I was brushing my teeth. When the train was seriously "in motion," it was impossible not to dribble water all over the floor in front of the sink. It was like a scene out of a comedy movie. I'm used to the larger sink that is placed LATERALLY, across the left hand side of the bathroom, as you enter the bathroom.
-- Love your channel, and Amtrak!
The diner, a few sleepers and coaches go to New York City, whereas the cafe, a few sleepers and coaches go to Boston...Both trains are expected to reach their final destinations before dinner. Usually the diner shuts downs after lunch. There aren't two diners or cafes on this train west of Albany, just one each. Amtrak does similar shunting operations in Spokane with the Empire Builder and the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited in San Antonio...
I remember hearing that the Viewliners are used due to their height. I believe it is the Boston an maybe the NY station aren't equipped to handle the Observation car. West and to Chicago the observation cars are used.
I read a story recently in a railroad magazine about a tourist guide back in the 1960s who hosted trips from Chicago to Canada & back. The tourists rode in 2 sleeping cars that were attached to various passenger trains. On a train that ran through rural, western Minnesota at night to Winnipeg, he recommended to the tourists that they should pull up the window curtains & watch the stars while lying in bed. This is something that you can do now since these new roomettes have a window for the upper berth!
If I might ask, what was your room #? I saw that you entered by a sign that said 4912. Next month we will be in room 1 in car # 4912. What a small world!
What train is the best way to get to Denver, Co.?
The only Amtrak line that goes through Denver is the California Zephyr. That one runs from Oakland to Chicago (it runs through Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City and Denver). So it all depends where you want to start your trip
@@nataliajimenez1870 thank you!
Do these two have children? They seem like really nice folks, probably great parents too.
Problem I see with the Viewliners (! or II) is that neither my wife nor I can climb any longer. Both handclapped by mobility problems that (among other things) preclude climbing steps. Honestly, we need a double bed for overnight, but not sure any level of accommodation on Amtrak provides that. Maybe a Deluxe Bedroom? We can, slowly and with difficulty, make it up steps with handrails (like to upper level of a Superliner.
A bedroom has a lower bed that is A BIT bigger than a roomette bed (looks like the lower bed in the accessible room is the same size); off the top of my head, I'd suggest booking the family room, a bedroom suite, or try to talk to a customer service agent to see if you can book two roomettes across from each other.
You will struggle on most trains. Find another way to travel. Maybe a handi capped motor coach with a lift and no steps.
Sorry about your mobility difficulties. Many of the eastern stations, particularly on the Northeast Corridor, have nigh platforms, so you would have less to worry about with entry. Other stations have wheelchair lifts.
There are choices in sleeper rooms: not just the roomettes, but also the bedroom and the handicapped bedroom.
Is there any good scenery from New York to Chicago?
I think the east coast has dedicated Amtrak tracks. Wish the rest of the Country did. But we decided to make Highways instead. Being retired I love to be on Amtrak. The rocking makes for great sleep also. The Hudson is wider than I was thinking. Boy I thought you were going to say the trip cost you 22K dollars. The food looks great. Thank you about the tipping no one else talks about that. Think I will have the attendant make up the bed. Wouldn't be cool if planes had big window like Amtrak?
Are there any 3-4 day trips with no overnight at hotel only sleeping on train.
Yes the Texas Eagle is the longest
thats the one i take ..
Nice vlog! Great presentation. Are masks still compulsory on the train?
Another question are the multi ride passes worth it?
Depends on the promotion.... Every person has different needs...
That breakfast looked good while in Toledo! Dan was born in Toledo! Great review and showing the pains and gains of train travel. Delays will happen. Love riding Amtrak? Check out our playlist, we've toured several stations in many US States. Love you guys!
How is the leg room in there compared to coach?
This is a repeat video...any new ones coming soon???
im taking the lakeshore limited to boston im crossing my fingers i get the viewliner 2
Sending a message to claim a gift. Thank you.
I know smokeing isn't premmited but can a person vape on a vape pen
I don't think so